Bible Dictionaries
Living Beings, Living Creatures

Holman Bible Dictionary

Characters in Ezekiel's first vision (Ezekiel 1:5 ,Ezekiel 1:5,1:13-15 ,Ezekiel 1:13-15,1:19-20 ,Ezekiel 1:19-20,1:22; also Ezekiel 3:13; Ezekiel 10:1 ). The creatures are later identified as cherubim (Ezekiel 10:20 ). The creatures numbered four. Each had a human form but with four faces. Perhaps the best interpretation views the creatures as a pictorial representation of the total sovereignty of God. Four creatures represent the four corners of the earth. The four faces represent four classes of creation: man humanity; lion king of wild beasts; ox king of domestic beasts; eagle king of the birds. Central to this interpretation is the One seated on the throne above all the creatures (Ezekiel 1:26-28 ). The Book of Revelation develops a similar image to portray God's total sovereignty (Revelation 4:7-8 ).